Dick Dale: April 25 at Grand Central in Miami. Click here to buy tickets online.
When last year’s South Florida dates of the triumphant comeback tour featuring the King of the Surf Guitar, Dick Dale, coincided with the one-year anniversary of The Atomic Grog in April, it was certainly cause for celebration. But it also created a dilemma: What to do for an encore?
Well, the legendary ax slinger has made it easy. He’s coming back to Florida, and The Atomic Grog is happy to be promoting his April 25 date at Grand Central in Miami. As a result, we’ll celebrate our second anniversary in surfin’ style.
The 75-year-old Dale is not only a living legend of rock ‘n’ roll but he’s also a hero for cancer survivors and a shining example of persevering in the face of adversity. In 2008, he battled cancer that attacked his intestinal tract. Then in 2009, he faced complications that put him back in the hospital and kept him off the road indefinitely. But an inspiring comeback in 2010 with his son and bandmate Jimmy Dale led to a full-blown tour that blew the doors off of The Vagabond in Miami and Respectable Street in West Palm Beach that June.
Last year, Dale and his band proved that the first road trip was not a fluke, embarking on a lengthy tour that brought them to Florida for nine stunning shows. They roared through Respectable Street and Churchill’s in Miami, giving us hope that Dale was indeed back for good.
So while many health issues remain, Dale is apparently in good enough condition and spirits to tour once again in 2013. If you saw any of his recent tours, you know what to expect: An awe-inspiring display of guitar virtuosity with a surprisingly eclectic mix of tunes … not just instrumentals like the classic Miserlou. Dale takes the mic for lead vocals on classics such as House of the Rising Sun and boasts a backing band that’s tighter than just about any you’ll ever see.
And if you haven’t seen his recent shows, what are you waiting for? This is a rare chance to see a rock ‘n’ roll pioneer (he invented surf music in the 1950s and the first-ever 100-watt guitar amplifier in the 1960s). Nearly every guitarist who cranks it up to 11 on stage owes Dale a debt of gratitude. Just one word of warning: Be sure to bring your ear plus if you plan to stand close to the stage. The King is still one of the loudest guitarists on the planet, but the sweet sounds coming out of his custom Fender Showman amps are certainly not harsh or grating. Dale’s playing is still incredibly precise.
Dale obviously thrives on the road and feeds off the energy of his loyal fans. Let’s give him a big South Florida welcome this April. We’re also looking forward to the stellar lineup of local support bands on the April 25 date: Miami’s Gold Dust Lounge and Deerfield Beach’s Skinny Jimmy & the Stingrays. So be sure to get there early to catch the full show. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show. Grand Central is at 697 N. Miami Ave. in downtown Miami. Call (305) 377-227 or go to GrandCentralMiami.com for more info. Click here for the official Facebook event.
Past Atomic Grog coverage
2012 tour:
* Concert review: Dick Dale’s comeback revs into overdrive
* South Florida welcomes Dick Dale, but when will the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
* Nothing can stop surf guitar king Dick Dale
* The Atomic Grog celebrates first anniversary with the return of Dick Dale
2011 tour:
* Dale shreds all doubts with sizzling shows
* Dick Dale playing the tour of his life | What makes Dick Dale the ‘King’?
* Tour was 7 years in the making
Official sites
* DickDale.com | The Dick Dale virtual museum